"Most of the harmful
pediatric medication errors tracked during
the past two years by U.S. Pharmacopeia
involved either an improper dose or
quantity..."
JCAHO Sentinel Event Alert, Issue 39, April
11, 2008
Click Here
to read entire alert
2010 ECC Guidelines
2010 ECC guidelines[Part
14: Pediatric Advanced Life Support,
Circulation. 2010; 122 (suppl 3)
3):@876-S908.]
recommend using a length based system to
calculate resuscitation medications if
actual weight is unknown.
The use of a length
based tape that uses only the 50th
percentile weight for length (ie, ideal
body weight) may "theoretically, result
in inadequate doses of some medications
for obese patients".
The PEDI Slide Chart
is the only length-based system
that adjusts for the body type from 50th
- 75th - 95th percentile. This
eliminates the potential for inadequate
dosing.
click above for
presentation
The
PEDI Slide Chart™
was honored as one of the best new products
of 2007 by the national magazine;
Contemporary Pediatrics.
"...Length-based systems or pre-calculated
drug systems should be used to avoid
calculation errors of medications
delivered." American College
of Emergency Physicians Policy #400400,
Approved September 2000
"Using a
length-based system of measurement is
advisable"
American
Heart Association™
“Both new and experienced
caregivers find the cognitive aid helpful
when responding to 'code' situations.” Joint Commission Journal on Quality &
Patient Safety, Volume 30, Number 9,
September 2004, pp.488-496(9)
"While
length-based systems have been used for
years,
they have traditionally been difficult to
navigate and read.
The PEDI Slide Chart™
has solved those issues."
Color Coded to match existing
systems' accessories.
●
Rapid, easy access to emergency and
urgent pediatric specific
information.
●
Infection Control compliance:
-Slide chart does not come into
direct contact with the patient.
-The optional disposable/reusable
measuring tapes can be cleaned or
discarded.
-Alternate measuring devices
can be used (e.g., tape measures)
●
Length & weight is based on CDC™
weight-to-stature growth charts.
●
Medication concentrations are
clearly shown next to the
medication.
●
Body type (average, at risk,
overweight) is used for better
accuracy.
●
Normal vital sign parameters and
Pediatric Trauma Score included.
●
Information is easy to find in the
appropriate slide chart information
slots.
●
Slide chart may be used as a
calculator if actual weight is
known.
●
Color coded to match existing
systems accessories.
The PEDI Slide Chart™
is a durable, reusable guide that is intended for use
during the pediatric healthcare emergent or
urgent situation. It is designed to give the
user quick access to important information
in the care of the pediatric patient. The
calculations are based on length & weight
estimates obtained from the CDC™
weight-to-stature growth charts and are used
to provide a reliable medication dosage and/or
sizing of equipment.
Eliminates memorization.
Eliminates mathematics (errors in
decimal point placement, mathematical
calculations, or expression of dosage
regimen accounted for 59.5% of dosage
errors). (Lesar, TS. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1998
Apr; 152(4):340-4.)
The PEDI Slide Chart™
58 inch/147 centimeter, 1" widesynthetic,
multi-use
measuring
tape isvirtuallyindestructible. Made from durable
polyolefin, this tape is water proof and
tearresistant.
With centimeters and inches, the tape
can be left with the pediatric patient to be
used forother
vital
measurements throughout the healthcare
system.
Wider &
easier to read.
One tape,
reusable or disposable.
FREE Replacement! (you just pay a
small shipping fee).
Other
Measuring Tools
Don't want to use the PEDI Slide
Chart™
measuring
tape?That's OK, use
anything that measurescentimetersinstead. You
don't need to use a
specificmeasuringdevice, if you
prefer, since everything is basedon
length incentimeters, not the length of a
special tape.
Don't worry about which end you measure
from, it doesn't matter with the PEDI Slide
Chart™.All you need is the total length in
centimeters.
Unique to the
PEDI Slide Chart™
These 2 inch x 60 inch adhesive backed measuring tapes were
designed to be adhered to any surface that
you would need a quick measurement on a
child when using the PEDI Slide
Chart™.
Backboards
Stretchers
Exam Tables
Just peel off the backing and stick this
very durable, water resistant tape to almost
any surface for fast, reliable measurements.
Differences in body type can make a
significant difference in the medication
dosage or equipment sizing in the pediatric
patient. The onset of more childhood obesity
calls for a more accurate way to determine
weight based on stature. Our use of the CDC™
body type categories will give you that more
accurate determination you need.
During
measurement of the pediatric patient,
the Body Type is taken into account for
better accuracy (unique to the
PEDI Slide
Chart™):
CDC™
Body Type is used for a more accurate
estimation of drug dosages and/or equipment
sizing! No other length-based systems provide for
the differences
in body type of the
pediatric patient!
All medication
concentrations are clearly listed next to
the corresponding medication. This
eliminates the potential for dosing errors
due to the wrong concentration being used.
Confusion over concentrations
has been eliminated by placing the
concentration next to the
medication.
Note: With other length-based
systems, you have to find the concentrations
in another location.
Institute For
Safe Medication Practices
click here for information about
ISMP From the February 26, 2004 issue of their
newsletter:
"...A recently
published article uncovered several other
problems when using the Broselow™ tape. For
example, during a series of mock codes, the
most common error observed was using the
tape upside down and measuring the patients
from the wrong end."
"...A serious misunderstanding was also
uncovered. Under each color-coded, there's a
list of several drugs useful for treating
patients with seizures. Another list
provides drugs used for rapid sequence
intubation. Many clinicians believed these
drugs represented an algorithmic tool. Thus,
during mock codes, they gave more than one
medication from each list, believing there
were to be given in a sequence, rather than
selecting one choice form among the drugs
listed."
"...Nevertheless, clinicians have expressed
concerns: one regarding the inconsistent
methods used to express drug doses (mg/mEq
for IV push medications; mL for IV infusion
medications); and another about the lack of
volumetric doses for IV push drugs. This
means that clinicians, often stressed during
an emergency, must perform mathematical
calculation - albeit a rather simple one
that may be facilitated by the product
labeling."
Excerpt from ACEP Policy
#400300;
"...These guidelines provide current information on
equipment and supplies considered essential for
managing pediatric emergencies. New technology and
research will require that such emergency drug,
equipment, and supply lists are kept current and are
readily available to hospitals providing emergency
care to children." Vl. GUIDELINES FOR EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND
MEDICATIONS FOR CHILDREN IN THE ED.
A. Necessary medications,
equipment, and supplies are listed in Table 1. Each
hospital must develop a method for storage and
provide accessibility of medications and equipment
for children. The method used must ensure that the
health care practitioner can easily identify
appropriate dosages of medications based on the
patient's weight and choose appropriately sized
equipment.Length-based systems or
pre-calculated drug systems should be used to avoid
calculation errors of medications delivered.
PEDI Slide Chart is now
available for sale on the ACEP website.
This policy is supported by
the following organizations: American College of Surgeons American Medical Association American Pediatric Surgical Association American Trauma Society Emergency Nurses Association National Association of EMS Physicians American Hospital Association National Association of Emergency Medical
Technicians National Committee for Quality Assurance Brain Injury Association, Inc. National Association of School Nurses Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations (JCAHO) National Association of Children's Hospitals and
Related Institutions
The use of a length-based
system is supported by JCAHO and theAmerican Heart
Association®.
"Using a length-based system
of
measurement is advisable" American Heart Association
"Both new and experienced
caregivers
find
the cognitive aid helpful when
responding to'code' situations" Joint Commission Journal on Quality &
